Consistometer

Abstract

A high temperature and high pressure consistometer comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel having an integral bottom and a cover for said pressure vessel. A nonmagnetic canister extends downwardly from said bottom and is sealed therein. A driven magnet assembly is journaled in said canister. A drive shaft is connected to said driven magnet assembly extending into said vessel. A nonmagnetic canister extends upwardly from the cover and is sealed therein. A driving magnet assembly is journaled in said canister. A shaft connected to said driving magnet assembly extends downwardly into said vessel. A driven magnet assembly is mounted for rotation on the exterior of the downwardly extending canister and a driven magnet assembly is mounted for rotation on the exterior of the upwardly extending canister. A sample cup is connected to the upwardly extending drive shaft and a paddle is connected to the downwardly extending shaft. External the vessel is positioned an instrument for measuring the torque magnetically transferred from the shaft carrying the paddle to the driven magnet assembly. External the vessel is a motor for causing the driving magnet assembly to rotate at a constant speed to thereby drive the cup within the vessel at a constant speed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A high temperature and high pressure consistometer comprising: a cylindrical pressure vessel having an integral bottom;   a cover for said pressure vessel;   means for securing and sealing the cover to the vessel;   a nonmagnetic canister extending downwardly from said bottom and being sealed therein, a lower driven permanent magnet assembly being journaled in said canister for unlimited rotation, a drive shaft connected to said lower driven permanent magnet assembly extending into said vessel;   a nonmagnetic canister extending upwardly from the cover and being sealed therein, an upper driving permanent magnet assembly being journaled in said canister, a shaft connected to said upper driving permanent magnet assembly extending downwardly into said vessel;   a lower driving permanent magnet assembly mounted for rotation on the exterior of the downwardly extending canister and an upper driven permanent magnet assembly mounted for rotation on the exterior of the upwardly extending canister;   a sample cup connected to the upwardly extending drive shaft and a paddle connected to the downwardly extending shaft being positioned within the cup;   means for introducing pressurizing fluid into the vessel and means for heating the vessel interior;   means external the vessel for measuring the torque magnetically transferred from the shaft carrying the paddle to the driven magnet assembly; and   means for causing the driving magnet assembly to rotate at a constant speed to thereby drive the cup within the vessel at a constant speed.   
     
     
       2. A consistometer according to claim 1 further comprising a heat shield consisting of a plurality of reflective sheets surrounding the inner side wall of the vessel, the spaces between sheets being in communication with the the vessel interior. 
     
     
       3. A consistometer according to claim 1 further comprising a heat shield consisting of a plurality of spaced reflective sheets beneath the vessel cover, the spaces between the sheets being in communication with the vessel interior. 
     
     
       4. A consistometer according to claim 1 further comprising a heat shield consisting of a first group of reflective sheets surrounding the inner side wall of the vessel and a second group of spaced reflective sheets beneath the vessel cover, the spaces between said sheets in open communication with the interior of the vessel. 
     
     
       5. A consistometer according to claim 1 in which the vessel comprises a pressure wall having a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical liner having a generally cylindrical outer surface for abutting the inner surface of the pressure wall, said liner having a plurality of grooves therein defining a pathway for circulating cooling fluid, openings in the pressure wall communicating with the grooves in said liner. 
     
     
       6. A consistometer according to claim 1 having a paddle attached to the upwardly extending drive shaft for causing circulation of the pressurized fluid in the vessel while turning the sample cup. 
     
     
       7. A consistometer according to claim 5 wherein the pressure wall is thicker near the bottom of the vessel forming a seat for restricting downward movement of the vessel liner relative thereto, the liner having a countersunk well at the lower end thereof, the downwardly extending nonmagnetic canister having a collar at the upper end thereof for seating in and abutting the countersunk well. 
     
     
       8. A consistometer according to claim 7 wherein there is an annular groove between the surface of the well in the liner and the collar on the nonmagnetic canister for capturing an O-ring seal. 
     
     
       9. The consistometer according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a nonrotating plug having a collar at the lower end thereof, said means for securing the cover to the vessel comprising a gland sleeve slidably positioned on the plug, said gland sleeve having an axial end face for abutting the collar on the plug, said gland sleeve having external threads for engaging internal threads in the vessel, said plug having an axial bore with a countersunk well at the lower end thereof, said upwardly extending nonmagnetic canister having a collar at the lower end thereof for seating in and abutting the countersunk well. 
     
     
       10. A consistometer according to claim 9 wherein there is an annular groove between the surface of the well in the plug and the collar on the nonmagnetic canister for capturing an O-ring seal. 
     
     
       11. A consistometer according to claim 5 or 9 wherein the cover carries an O-ring seal that abuts a smooth inner cylindrical surface of the liner.